Escaped Convict Sanchez-Montiel Back in Court

GREENBELT, MD – Edwin Armando Sanchez-Montiel, 33, a citizen of El Salvador with a violent past, is facing federal charges after once again illegally crossing the U.S. border. Sanchez-Montiel pled guilty to illegally re-entering the United States after being previously deported following a felony conviction for Accessory After the Fact, Murder First Degree. This isn’t just a border issue; it’s a slap in the face to law enforcement and the justice system.

The case, announced by U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland and Acting Field Office Director Nikita Baker of ICE-ERO, reveals a pattern of disregard for U.S. law. Court filings show Sanchez-Montiel first entered the country around October 18, 2006, near Hidalgo, Texas, only to be apprehended by Border Patrol. He was issued a Notice to Appear, but failed to show up for his hearing, resulting in an in absentia removal order on February 12, 2007. He didn’t stay gone for long.

In a chilling turn, on January 23, 2023, Sanchez-Montiel was arrested and charged with Accessory After the Fact, Murder First Degree. He subsequently pled guilty and received a five-year prison sentence, with all but 18 months suspended. But the system failed to keep him contained. After serving his time, ICE arrested him again on January 29, 2024, and deported him to El Salvador via airplane on February 9th. Apparently, a plane ticket isn’t a deterrent for this individual.

Sanchez-Montiel didn’t respect the removal order. He voluntarily and unlawfully re-entered the United States, bypassing all immigration controls. ICE officers finally re-encountered him in Montgomery County, Maryland, on July 27th, taking him back into custody. Crucially, Sanchez-Montiel never received permission from the Attorney General or the Secretary of Homeland Security to re-enter the country – a clear violation of federal law. He thought he could just walk back in, and for a while, he was right.

Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 26, at 10 a.m. U.S. Attorney Hayes praised the work of ICE-ERO, and highlighted the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brooke Oki and Joel Crespo in prosecuting the case. This case is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a sweeping initiative aimed at tackling illegal immigration, dismantling cartels, and protecting communities from violent criminals. But is it enough? The revolving door of deportation and re-entry raises serious questions about border security and the effectiveness of current enforcement measures.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office and community outreach programs, visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach. The question remains: will this time stick, or will Sanchez-Montiel once again find a way to slip through the cracks?